Price marking machine



Nov. 20, 1962 E. c. MARSHALL ETAL 3,064,743

PRICE MARKING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 4, 1957 INVENTORS.

-aafa MMM Nov. 20, 1962 E. c. MARSHALL ETAL 3,064,743

PRICE MARKING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed F'eb. 4, 1957 IN VENTORSNov. 20, 1962 E. c. MARSHALL ETAL PRICE MARKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 4,1957 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 20, 1962 E. c. MARSHALL ETAL 3,064,743

PRICE MARKING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 4, 195'? 1N VENTORS '7Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS C1A/@ASM PRICE MARKING MACHINE E. C. MARSHALLETAL MQW: w m @u .N w n n m W mh M mw, m sr mw N m w u m W W m M @u m IW I, i J( A. l W

Nov. 20

Filed Feb. 4, 1957 Nov. 20, 1962 E. c. MARSHALL ETAL 3,064,743

PRICE MARKING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 4, 195'? IN VEN TOR5LA/@JM f. any Mcmzf EN w SSW 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Nov. 20, 1962 E. c.MARSHALL r-:TALl

PRICE MARKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 4, 1957 3,654,743 u PRECE MAMGNGMACHlhllE Edward C. Marshall, Upper Montclair, and Henry C. Mc-

Brrar, Caldwell, NJ., assignors to American Tag Com1 pany, Chicago,Ill., a c rporation of illinois Filed Feb. 4, 1957, Ser. No. 637,995 17Claims. (Cl. 177-3) This invention relates to automatic price computingand marking machines.

With the advent of modern supermarkets, there has been a need foreliicient automatic price marking apparatus, particularly for pricemarking products of nonuniform size and hence weight, such as meat andthe like.

lt is, accordingly, one of the objects of this inventio-n to provideprice marking apparatus wherein price, and also preferably weightinformation, are automatically obtained and recorded upon a price slipor directly upon the wrapping of the article in question, without theneed for an operator to read a scale, and record such informationthrough manual means.

Another and more specific object of the present invention is to providean improved automatic or semi-auto matic price computing and recordingmachine as above described which may utilize, as a weighinginstrumentality, a weighing scale of a type now commonly in use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a price markingmachine of the type above described which has provision for readilyadjusting the machine for operation at ditlerent prices per pound, sothat the machine may be used to compute and record prices for a numberof different commodities through an adjustment which takes a matter ofseconds to make, such as by the mere turning of a knob or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a price marking machineas above described, wherein the moving mechanical parts forming theheart of the computing section of the machine are continuously rotatingelements, to minimize inertial effects and increase the speed ofoperation thereof. An ancillary object of the present invention is toprovide such a machine as just described wherein the weighing portion ofthe machine has associated therewith a balancing switch which preventsopera tion of the computing section of the machine until the veryinstant the scale comes to balance, to provide for maximum accuracy andspeed.

Another object of the invention is to provide article weighing andprice-marking apparatus which is so arranged that a maximum number ofarticles per unit of y time may be weighed and marked with the pricethereof with a minimum number of operators.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement ofconveyors, platforms, weighing apparatus and price-marking apparatuswhich enables one or two operators to feed individual articles to beweighed and priced to weighing and price marking stations at a very highspeed. An ancillary object of the present invention is to provide suchan arrangement of components wherein the computing section of themachine is operative to compute the price for an article then on thescale platform at the same time that the price information for thearticle previously weighed is being printed at a remote point Where thelatter article has been moved.

A related object of the invention is to provide a pricemarking machinecapable of accurately and reliably performing weighing, computing andprice-marking operations relating to a number of different articles atthe same time with a minimum of confusion to the operator.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided meansfor generating a selection of pulse trains for each position of a scaleplatform, which pulse 2o, ieee Patented Nov.

trains respectively are a measure of the number of basic price units,such as pennies, for a product of the particular weight involved atdifferent prices per pound. Counting means, preferably a series of.decade electronic counters, are provided for counting the pulses sothat digital information on the price of the article being weighed canbe readily obtained and printedl upon the package containing the articleor a strip of paper or the like to be attached to the article.

Most preferably, the means for generating the pulse trains is acontinuously rotating disk, drum 0r the like, having a series ofconcentric pulse-producing tracks. The tracks may comprise transparentslits spaced along the length of the track, magnetized pulse-producingpoints or some other means for producing pulses when the disk, .drum orthe like is moved relative to a pulse-receiving unit. In the case wheretransparent slits are utilized, the preferred form of the invention, alight source having a narrow beam is positioned, on one side of thetransparent slits, is directed upon one of the tracks and a photocell orthe like is placed on the other side of the tracks in the path of thelight beam to provide electrical pulsations. The number ofpulse-producing points in corresponding segments of the tracks differ asa function of dierent preselected prices per pound. Selector means areprovided for selecting the track corresponding to the price per pounddesired. ln the case where a light source and 'photocell are used inconjunction with transparent slits in a disk, drum or the like the lightsource and photocell are preferably mounted for movement together acrossthe various pulse-producing tracks so that track selection may bereadily obtained.

In the most preferred form of the invention, a gating means is providedfor gating the output of the pulse-receiving means. The pulse output ofthe gated portion of the system is fed to a suitable counting means,such as the above mentioned decade electronic counters. Control over thegating and counting operations is obtained through a number ofcooperating switches. These switches include a scale switch which isoperated when an article is placed on the scale, a balancing switchwhich is held in its active position only when the scale comes tobalance, and a priming switch is operated when the beginning of theselected track is moved opposite the pulse-receiving means. After all ofthe above-mentioned switches have been operated, the counter is reset to0 and the gating means is prepared for a gate-closing operation. Closureof the gating means is controlled by a pair of cooperating controlmembers, one of which is control'ed by the patform scale pcsition andthe other of which is contro led by the position of the rotating disk,drum or the like. The control members are preferably mounted formovement along opposed concentric circular paths and are adjusted to beopposite one another when the scale platform is in its zeroweight-indicating position and the selected track is moved opposite thepulse-receiving means. In the most preferred form of the invention, oneof these members comprises a light source which is interrupted by theother control member when the two are opposite one another. When thesetwo control members are opposite one another, the aforementioned gatingmeans is closed. lt can be readily seen that, with this arrangement, thepoint in a pulse-train generating cycle at which the control members aremoved opposite one another is a function of the weight of the articlebeing weighed. By suitably'controlling the spacing of the pulseproducing points in the tracks of the disk, drum or the like, the numberof pulses passing through the gating means up until the time the gate isclosed may be equal to the price in pennies of the article being weighedat the seiected price per pound. Weighty information is preferablyobtained in the same manner as the price information ace-1,743

3 through use of a separate track on the disk, drum or the like, andseparate pulse-receiving means and counting means for providing indigital form the weight of the article being weighed in ounces andpounds.

The information in the price and weight counters is u sed to positionassociated printing wheels to the proper digit positions. Then, theprinting wheels are either moved into engagement with a recordingsurface or the latter is moved against the printing wheels to provide arecord of weight and price.

For maximum efficiency, the scale platform is placed between spaced,coplanar platform sections which are at approximately the sameelevations as the scale platform under normal load conditions. Anin-feeding conveyor is provided for feeding the articles to beweighedronto the platform section immediately in front of the scaleplatform, and an out-feeding conveyor is provided extending from theother platform section. Space is preferably provided for only onearticle station between the iii-feeding conveyor and the scale platformand two stationary article stations between the scale platform and theout-feeding conveyor. At the article sections immediately behind theout-feeding conveyor, there is provided a price slip-issuing machine.With this arrangement, while one article is sittinfy on the scaleplatform, and pulse trains corresponding to its weight and price arebeing generated and counted, the weight and price information on thearticle previously weighed which is resting at the next article stationis being printed on a strip of paper. Practically at the same time, theabovementioned price slip-issuing machine issues a paper slip containingthe weight and price information on the article at the last articlestation. Preferably, the operator holds the last-mentioned articleagainst the slip-issuing machine which secures the slip by heat sealingor otherwise adhering the slip to the preferably prepackaged article.Then after depositing the article on the out-feeding conveyor, theoperator, by grasping the article on the weighing scale with his righthand, moves it to the next article station while he pushes the articleahead of it beneath the label-issuing machine with the back of the righthand. Simultaneously, he grasps the article on the first article stationwith his left hand and moves it onto the scale platform. The in-feedingconveyor then delivers a new article to said first station. With thisarrangement, articles can be weighed and furnished with weight and priceindicating strips in one or two seconds utilizing a single operator.

To enable simultaneous price weighing and marking of different articles,suitable interlocks are provided between the computing and printoutportions of the machine so that a printout operation cannot begin untilthe computing section has completed its operation, and once theprintlout section has been set to operate, then thecomputing section isfree to compute the price and weight for a new article while printoutproceeds.

These and other features of the invention will be cX- plained in thespecification to follow, taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one form of price-markingmachine of the present invention;

FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d togeher represent a detailed schematic diagramof one form of price-marking machine of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an improved form of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a time chart illustrating the various operations which areperformedby the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3;

be weighed, the weight multiplied by a preselected price per pound, andthe resulting total price as well as the weight printed on a label to beaffixed to the meat package. To these and other ends the invention inits presently preferred form comprises a system as schematically shownin FIG. l. Referring to FIG. 1, a scale of the commercial'y availabletype identified as 1 has been modified by the extension of the rotatingshaft 2 carrying a conventional scale wheel 2 so that it extends beyondthe normal enclosure. Coaxially located but mounted in such a manner asto preclude any type of mechanical contact is shaft 3 driven by afractional horsepower induction motor 4.

Ailixed to this shaft 3 and rotating with it is an opaque disk 5 which,preferably by means of suitable photographic methods carries amultiplicity of transparent sections in the form of rectangular slots orslits through which suitably focussed light will pass.

These slots are disposed in a series of concentric arcs 6 formingpulse-generating tracks all starting from a common Vreference point 7.The arcs extend around the disk for an angular distance equal to theangular distance moved through by the scale at its maximum capacity.This angle may be about 300. The remaining area of about 60 is a deadarea and contains no transparent slots. In each arc each s'ot representsone penny. Progressing inwardly, each arc contains fewer slots, andcorresponds to a lower price per pound. By having a multiplicity ofarcs, the price per pound of the commodity to be weighed can be selectedby the selection of the desired arc by rotating price selecting controlknob 8. A second group 9 of transparent slots or slits constitute theweight section of the disk In this case each slit represents 1/16 ounce.Therefore, if the disk were provided with 2560 holes for one cycle ofthe disk it would be possible to resolve up to 10 pounds in incrementsof j/16 of an ounce by passing a suitably focussed light 1t! through thedisk to produce 2560 light interruptions each interruption correspondingto /u; of an ounce. Located on shaft 3 is gating light arm 11. Anincandescent lamp 12 is located in light arm 11 and, by means of asuitably focussed light guide 13, directs light to gating photocell 14.

Electricity may be fed to the gating light 12, in any suitable mannersuch as by a rotary transformer 12 having its rotary winding connectedto the light by wires (not shown) passing through or mounted along theshaft 3i. When an object is placed on the platform l5 of the Yconventional scale 1, a scale switch 16 is operated which energizes arelay 18 in series with a balance switch 17 which intermittently opensand closes until the scale platform reaches a steady state. The relay 18due to a dashpot 19 connected to its armature remains in its energizedposition until the balance switch stops oscillating. A blancing switchsuitable for use in the present invention is disclosed in U.S. PatentNo. 2,036,014, granted March 3l, 1930. Relay 18 has a normally closedcontact 18e` which together with scale Vswitch i6 `are in series with asecondary relay 22 which is energized when a priming switch 25 is closedby a cam lobe 2a on rotating disk 5. Relay 1S becomes de-energized whenthe scale is balanced. A holding circuit is established when relay 22 isenergized to lock-in the relay. That is, the balance switchV 17,solenoid 18 and priming lswitch 25 are by-passed by holding contacts ofVrelay 22 to render relay 22 immune to the actions of switches 17, 18;and 25 after relay 22 has once been closed. However, the removal of theobject on platform l5 breaks the holding circuit to de-energize relay 22due to opening of scale switch 16.

A balance light 21 is provided which is Wired tothe contact 18e so thatthe light goes on as soon as the scale is balanced. Extending from shaftextension 2 is a gating arm 23 which intercepts the beam from the light12 on light arm llwhen the gating and light arms are opposite oneanother. These arms are opposite one another at zero weight when thedisk is in a position where the beams from light sources 1u and 2e justabout -reacn the iirst slit in tracks e and 9, the latter occurring atthe same instant of time. During a Weighing operation the shaftextension 2 of the scale l rotates the gating arm through a discreteangie proportional to the weight applied to the scale. Then, the gatearm il intercepts the beamof gating light 21.2 when the beams from thecounting lights l@ and 2li are passing through the slits of the tracksat points spaced a corresponding angle from the beginning of the tracksinvolved. Secondary relay 22, after closing, applies plate potential toa gating thyratron 34 which may be a type ZDZl tube, whereupon tube 34becomes capable of performing control functions.

On the periphery of scanning disk 5 is located cai-m lobe 26 which islocated in a sector of the disk which will always constitute a dead areaas far as light transmission is concerned at the time cam lobe 2eactuales priming switch 25. Following the actuation of priming switch 25by cam lobe 26, the continuously revolving disk 5 which is driven in acounterlockwise direction viewed from the motor end, will start theactual computing and reading out of both the pricing and weight of thecommodity. Assuming that price selector knob S has so positioned thelight source 2S and price counting photocell Z7 so as respectively topass and pick up light through the disk as indicated in FIG. l, it willbe seen that the pricing photocell 27 will receive a series ot' lightimpulses from light source 2S, and, in each case, the number of lightpulses received will represent pennies.

Simultaneously light cell l0 of the weight system will pass impulses toweight counting photocell Z9. The output of photocell 27 will beamplified by linear electronic amplifier 30 and the output of weighingcell will `also be suitably amplified by linear electronic arnpliier 3l,These amplifiers, namely 30 and El, wil continuously receive and amplifypulses as the disk :5 revolves until such time as the gating lightsource 1l and its associated light source l2 intercept the sca eactuated gating arm 23. The momentary interruption of the light beamfrom source l2 produces a modulation of light on gating photocell 14;which in turn is passed to linear amplier 32 thence to suitable pulse trming network 33 to trigger gating thyratron 34. A bias supply 35provides the bias divider with Voltage.

The characteristic of the ZDZl thyratron 34 when operated with D.C. onthe plate is such that once it has fired-as a result of the positivepulse arriving at its grid, plate current continues to liow even afterthe essation of pulses. The plate voltage of thyratron 3d is tapped froma bias divider 36. This continual .flow of DC. plate current from Ibiasdivider 36 provides the additional bias to gate portions of the circuitto he described.

All pulses, from the time of the initiation of: the computing cycleinitiated by the actuation of priming switch 25 that take place untilthe cessation of the computing cycle by the tiring of gating thyratron342 are heavily differentiated in suitable networks All and d2. rhen vialines 44 and 45 the pulses pass to pulse polarizers and ampliiiers 46and 4'7 and via lines 4S and e9 to one shot multivibrators 50 and Sl.

The output of the one shot multivibrator Si is a pulse of appropriatepolarity and rise time which euerciffes the commercially availableerkelev binary counter 52. Every sixteenth pulse arriving at counter 52transfers one pulse to ounce counter 53 which is of identicalconstruction. Every sixteenth pulse developed bv counter 53 transmits apulse to a similar counter e whose digital presentation Will be inpounds up to 9.

Referringy back to one 4shot multivibrator Sil oit th price channel, apulse of appropriate polarity and ris` time is transmitted via line SSto commercially available Berkeley counter 56. This counter differs fromcounter `52 in that it has a scale of l() rather than 16 and indicatespennies. Every tenth pulse applied to counter ce is transmitted via line57 to an identical Berkels counter 58. rl'his counter is designated asthe dunes counter. Again by similar process every tenth pulse via line59 is transmitted to identical counter 6b whose presentation reads indollars. Again by the same process via line 6l every tenth pulse istransmitted to counter 62 whose presentation is in tens or dollars.

Two basically dilierent methods are provided for reading out theBerkeley counters to properly position printing wheels in a suitablelabel imprinting mechanism. The first method is semi-automatic in that amanual operation is required to complete the process; yet thepossibility of human error and inaccuracy inherent in visually readingthe usual computing scale chart is climiln this method theprice-imprinting mechanism is provided with keyboard means (not shown)for setting the printing device whereby a single key is depressed foreach digit to -be printed. Neon glow lamps are provided in each key ofthe keyboard, these eing the lamps normally found in the Berkeleycounters, and being correspondingly connected to the Berkeley units.When the cycle of computation has been completed as previouslydescribed, the visual presentation is made on the keyboard in the Aforrnof lighted keys. The operator depresses the lighted key, thus correctlysetting the printing means without possibility or" error.

The second method for reading out is fully intonatie and is shown inPEG. l. The indication of each Berkcey unit is made to position printingmeans 7d through the use of a motor actuated readout apparatus 72. Thereadout units are made operative at the conclusion of the countingoperation. ln each counter only one neon lamp is on, and it has acrossit a higher voltage t.. the other nine. A rotary solenoid rotates aswitch, scanning the ten neon lamp circuits until the one with thehigher voltage is encountered, which trigger-s a thyratro-n, energizingthe relay to open the motor circuit. The printing means, which rotateswith the switch, has thus been positioned according to the Berkeleycounter indication.

One exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described.Referring to FlGS. Ztl-2d, which is an electrical schematic wiringdiagram of the system, and particularly to FIG. 2c, a ll5 volt 60 cyclesingle phase commercial power is used for primary source of power andenters via lines lill and lllZ passing through commercially availableline filter 1ll3 of the L-C type, the purpose of the this filter beingto exclude power line transients from the equipment. The output of theiilter is fed to energizing transformers 194 and 1%5 and, via lin X-Xenergizes light sources lll and 2-2 (Fl'G. 2a) and the line Pl P2.Transformer lili.- (FlG. 2c) via high voltage winding P39, full waverectifier tube Illl, iilter chokes lll, and .T1112 and associatedcapacitors H3 and llprovide the high voltage supply. The output of thisconventional full Wave rectilier is regulated in the conventional mannerby means of gaseous regulator tubes which may be type Vil-45) andfR-105, respectively. These tubes are connected in series to give aregulated voltage of 255 volts and volts respectively. This DC. voltageof 255 volts is applied at various points in the system designated as V.The DC. voltage whose potential is 105 volts is applied at pointsindicated as S.

A second power supply fed by transformer 195 is fundamentally identicalwith the supply previously described and. consists of high voltagewinding E15 and full Wave rectifier tube lle which may be a commerciallyavailable 5U4-G tube. The output of this rectifier via iilter chokes 17and lid and electrolytic capacitors 13.9 and 12@ furnish a DC. potentialwhich is regulated by three gaseous regulator tubes connected in seriesto give voltages of plus 300 volts at terminal T with respect to groundand minus lilS volts with respect to ground at terminal M. The 300 voltoutput l2?. supplies the commercially available Berkeley counters 52,53, 54, 56, 58, .611 and 6K2. The minus 105 volts is applied (FIG. 2b)to bias adjusting Vresistor 129 of one shot multivibrator 50 as Well asto bias divider 36.

Refer now more particularly to FIG. 2a where the basic relay controlcircuit is shown. The energization circuit for relay 1d extends fromline P1 and includes a line filter 64, scale switch contacts 16 whichremain open until the scale platform 15 is moved down, line 65,stationary contacts 17h and 17C and oscillating contact 17a of thebalance switch 17, line 66, coil 18a of relay 18 and line 67 extendingthrough the line filter 64 and joining the other main power line P2.Thus, it can be seen that as long as the scale is not balanced, themovable contact 17a of the balance switch 17 continues to oscillate toenergize intermittently the relay 18 until a balance condition of thescale exists, whereupon the movable contact 17a stops in -a centeredposition spaced from the stationary contacts 17a and 17C. v

The relay 18 has an armature 1gb which is secured to the dash pot 19 sothat the relay armature remains in the position it occupies when therelay is energized even though the relay is de-energized for the periodit takes the movable contact 17a to traverse the space between thestationary contacts 17b and 17C. The relay 18 has a movable bridgingcontact 18C and stationary'contacts 1Sd and 18e, the movable contact111e normally bridging the stationary contacts when the armature 18b isin the position when the relay is de-energized, and being spaced fromthe stationary contacts when the relay is in its energized state.Accordingly, as long as the balancing switch 17 is in its unbalancedcondition, movable contact 18C will be separated from the stationaryVcontacts 18d and 18e. .Y

As soon as relay 22 becomes energized, a holding circuit for the relayis established extending from the upper terminal of the relay l22through line 69, closed holding contacts 22a of the relay 22, line 71,line 65, scale switch 16, power lines P1 and P2 and through line 67leading to the other terminal of the relay coil 22. The relay 22 hasother sets of contacts 2211, 22C and 22d which perform functions to beexplained hereinafter.

The scale light 21 is connected between stationary 75 there is a`differentiating circuit 33 comprised of Y capacity 76 and apotentiometer resistance 77. When the `beam of gating light 12 isinterrupted, the voltage pulse produced is differentiated by circuit 33which provides a sharp high voltage pulse across resistance 77 whichfires the gating thyratron 34 practically the instant that the beam fromlight source 12 is interrupted.

The grid of the thyratron tube 34 is connected to the wiper 78 of thepotentiometer 77. The cathode of the thyratron tube is connected to asuitable point on the bias divider resistance 36 Vacross which the biassupply is connected. The plate of the thyratron tube 34 is connected viaa lin-e 79 to normally-open contacts 22C of the secondary relay 22 andthen via a line 8f) to a point 81spaced on the positive side of thepoint on the bias divider resistance to which the cathode of thethyratron tube is connected.

It can be seen that when the contacts 22C are closed, the thyratron tubeis primed for firing. The voltage conditions on the tube are adjusted sothat the tube will not fire until a positive pulse appearson the grid ofthe thyratron. Upon firing of the thyratron tube, aV section of the biasdivider becomes bypassed and the current flowing through the portion ofthe bias divider feeding voltage to a cathode follower resistor 177 isgreatly increased. This increased voltage is such that it will cut off atube178 Vfollowing acathodefollower tube 174, thus gating the `output ofthetube 178.

- '.Gating voltage for the pulse polarizer and amplifier stage 47associated with the weight indicating portions of the system is obtainedacross a resistor 83 (PEG. 2a) having one terminal connected to the line80 and the opposite terminal grounded. A lead 141 extending from acathode follower resistor in the pulse polarizer and amplifier section47 (FIG. 2c) connects with a tap-off point on the resistor 83.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2c, light source 1) may be ofthe heavy filament type and may be rated at 10 candlepower. therinstrumentation, it can effectively be considered a steady source oflight. This light via suitable optical system 132 impinges on thecontinuously revolving scanning disk 5. This disk which has beenpreviously described will pass light by means of the pulse-producingslits 9 which in turn will impinge on gas photocell 29. This cell isenergized and decoupled from the basic D.C. supply by aresistance-capacity filter andl voltage divider consisting of resistors134 and 134 and filter capacitor 134". The variations in light levelresulting from the transparent slits in disk 5 will produce anelectrical modulation in current in resistor 136 at a rate proportionalto the rate at which the slits on disk S intercept light beam 137. Eachsinusoidal alternating component in current through resistor 136 will,as previously described,represent a weight increment of 1A6 of a pound.The pulsations of current in resistor 136 are. effectively passed toweight amplifier 31 by capacitor 138. Amplifier 31 is identical with theamplifier 30 of the pricing system which will be described later. Theoutput of Weight amplifier 31 is fed to the stages 40, 42, and 51previously briefly described and finally there is produced a negativepulse whose peak valuekis approximately 100 volts and whose rise time isless than two microseconds. This pulse via line 14)` energizes Berkeleycounter 52, 53` and 54 (FIG 2d) in a manner previously briefiyexplained. Counter 54 gives a visual presentation of'weight in pounds,counter 53 a visual presentation of weight in ounces and counter 52 avisual presentation of weight in 16th of an ounce.

Light source 28 (FIG. 2a) maybe a l0 candlepower heavy filament lamp andby means of opticalsystem 142, directs a very small spot of highintensity light on scanning disk 5. This spot is centered by means ofsuitable mechanical adjustments on the correct arc of the slitscorresponding to the price per pound of the'commodity in terms ofpennies, the total number of slits in a circle being 'equal' to theprice per pound times the number'of pounds representable on thecounters, namely 9 pounds 151%@ ounces. This means that for onerevolution of the disk, assuming that the light beam is centered on acircle of holes representing y$1.00l per pound,V the totalV number ofslits Will be l0() times 9 pounds 1515/16 ounces or 999. Light passingthrough disk 5 will impinge on vacuum photocell 27 which grid of vacuumtubel 15) forming part of amplifier 30: This vacuum tube may beY type6SJ 7. The values of the resistors and capacitors associated withV thistube are conventional for the frequencies under consideration.

Cathode by-pas's capacitor 151 and'grid coupling capacitor 149, whosevalues are preferably .5 and .001 microfarad, respectively, arepurposely selected to produce a deemphasis of frequencies below V500cycles per second, the purpose being to prevent amplification of any12.()v cycle Due to the heavy filament and to fur-y "spasms component oflight modulation possibly present on light source 107. Line 153 viacapacitor 154 passes the A.C. component of current in plate resistor 152to the grid of vacuum tube lSS which is a type 6Sl7 connected and usedin a manner identical with vacuum tube The output of vacuum tube 155 vialine i236` and via capacitor 157 energizes the grid of vacuum tube lSSA.Vacuum tube llSSA is again, as in the case of vacuum tubes 152 and 155,used as a class Alinear amplifier. The associated resistors andcapacitors as in the previous stages have been selected to discriminateagainst frequencies of 560 cycles and lower by virtue of relativelyshort time constants associated with the resistors and capacitors as inthe grid, plate and cathode circuits.

The output of the resistance coupled amplifier stages utilizing triode158A is passed to the grid of triode by capacitor l5?. Triode 153B isconnected as a conventional cathode follower for the purpose ofdeveloping an effective low impedance load when looking into loadresistor ldd. The A.C. component of current developed through cathoderesistor tot? is transmitted to resistor tl via coupling capacitor 162.The purpose of coupling capacitor 62 is to remove the positive DC.potential from the grid of triode 163A. Triode 163A is provided with avery low value of plate voltage. Series grid resistor lod, in view ofthe fact that triode ltSA, a commercial type 6SN7, is operated withoutbias, functions so as to produce both grid and plate limiting. The A.C.component of plate current is now a square wave as a result of bothlimiting and clipping the sine wave applied to resistor lol.

Capacitor l65 couples tube section MSA to MSB and passes a square wavewhich is further squared by further plate limiting action. The sameprocedure is again followed in the succeeding triode ldd. The. output ofthis final limiter is now a square wave whose amplitude will bevirtually constant for minor changes in signal level developed acrossresistor lol. ri'he purpose of the three squaring and limiting stages isto obtain a signal that is Virtually independent of minor variations ofthe light intensity of lamp 2S and the. gain of the cascade linearamplifier made up of vacuum tubes lh, l-S and tSSA. The square waveexisting in the plate current o vacuum tube 166 serving as a limiter istransferred by a capacitor llo'l to the grid of triode 167A (Fig. 2b).@iode rectifier 168, type 1N34, effectively short circuits the positivegoing pulse. rlfriode ld7A is connected and used as a cathode followerfor the purpose of developing a low impedance source of square wavepower. The square wave of voltage appears across a cathode resistor lddwhich voltage is heavily differentiated by capacitors 15.69, resistorl'tl and again by capacitor ll and resistor T72. The time. constants ofthese differentiating resistors and capacitors are chosen so as to be atleast times shorter than the highest frequency transmitted. As a resultof the great loss in amplitude due to the heavy diiferentiationnetworks, the positive and negative squared pulses become spikes acrossresistor ltl and 72 and are amplied in triode MSB connected as a linearamplifier but utilizing very short time constants in plate, grid andcathode circuits to assist in the process of differentiation.

Positive and negative pulses appearing in plate resistor E73 are passedto the grid of triode i7@ via capacitor 175. The negative going pulse isvirtually short circuited to ground by diode rectifier 176, type 1N34.The positive going puse is applied to the grid of triode 174 connectedas a cathode follower. The positive side of cathode resistor 177 isconnected directly to the grid of triode 'iS and to bias dividerpotentiometer 36 through a wiper 36 which adjusts the value of the biasvoltage. lt is the grid of triode 178 that is heavily biased, thusgating the amplier output, when thyratron 34 is triggered by the gatingpulse.

Capacitor 293 conducts the spike shaped component across plate resistor209 to the grid of triode ZloA. Capacitor 2li conducts the componentacross plate resistor l@ 212 to potentiometer 213 which provides meansfor adjustment of amplitude to the grid of tube Zltll A cornparativelywide variation in gain or input signal through the previous stages canbe compensated for so that one shot multivibrator stage Sti, triggeredby the output of tube Zilli?, can be provided with an input amplitudewhich renders the multivibrator the utmost in stability.

The signal component from tube section 2MB across plate resistor 2145 istransmitted through capacitor 215 to the first section of themultivibrator tube 2l6A; a component then is produced across plateresistor 217. Capacitor 21's' and resistor Zli couple the output of tubesection 216A to the grid of 2MB and partially determine the frequencyand therefor the steepness of the multivibrator output spike shapedpuise. The grid of tube section Z returns to bias supply M92 viaresistor 220 so that the multivibrator can be set to operate within anappropriate input signal margin and still be stable. Capacitor 223iserves to feed back a portion of the multivibrator output signal toreturn the primary stage, tube section 2l6A, to a restive state for thefollowing input pulse.

Capacitor 222 passes the negative going pulse of approximately lilovolts having a rise time of less than 2 microseconds to Berkeley penniescounter S6. In a coupling method identical to that used with theBerkeley weight counters counter 52, upon reaching the count of l0,returns to zero and passes a pulse to dimes counter 5S. Dimes counter5S, upon reaching lt), reverts to Zero and passes a pulse to dollarscounter on, Counter 69 returns to zero after the tenth pulse to it andpasses a count to tens of dollars counter 62. The price counter groupcan therefore count to 699.99. The weight counter group can count to 9pounds l5 15/16 ounces.

Each of the counters has associated therewith a set of l0 neon lightsnumbered t-S- (FlG. 2d). Each neon light is associated with one of theten stages of the decade counter and the counter circuit is such that asthe counter receives pulses the neon lights will become energized insuccession and in accordance with the number of pulses red thereto sincethe counter was last reset into a Zero count state. When gatingthyratron 34 is tired, the numbers appearing on the lighted neon lightassociated with coutners Sd, 555, 69 and 62 will be the price of the0bject weighed and the lighted neon lights assocaited with counters 5f.,5d will give the weight of the weight on the scale. An operator couldthen manually enter the price and weight of the article involved on astrip of paper to be attached to the article.

However, in accordance with a preferred form of the invention, the priceand weight information is automatically printed upon a strip of paper,or directly upon the article itself. To this end, a printing wheel suchas printing wheel 23d, is associated with each counting unit and readoutmeans is provided which sets the printing wheels to the digit positionscorresponding to the associated lighted neon lights. In the explanationto follow, only the readout apparatus associated with counter unit 56will be described, it being understood that similar apparatus isassociated with each counting unit Sd, 6d, 62, 52, 53 and 54.

Referring to the neon lights associated with counter unit 56, one of thecorresponding terminals of the neon lights associated with counter staged, 2, 4, 6 and 8 are connected to a common line 232 and thecorresponding terminals of the neon lights associated with stages 1, 3,5, 7 and t? are connected to a common line 234. The otoher correspondingterminals of neon light pairs, 0 1, 2 3, is- 5, 6-7 and 8-9 arerespectively connected to lines 253, 235, 24d, 242 and 244. Common lines232 and 23d are associated with a ten-position rotary switch 25d havingcontacts numbered @-9. Contacts il, 2, d, 6 and 8 thereof areelectrically connected together and terminals l, 3, S, 7 and 9 thereofare electrically connected together. The common line 232 associated withneon Ylights of even, number are connected to the even cornmonlyconnected terminals of the rotary swtich 256 whereas common line 234which is associated with the odd numbered neon lights is connected tothe odd commonly connected terminals of switch 250.

Lines 236, 238, 24), 242 and 244 are associated with anotherten-positions rotary switch 251. rThis switch has terminals numberedtlf-9, with adjacent contact pairs 0 1, 2 3, 4 5, 6 7 and 8 0respectively connected together. Line 236 associated with thecorresponding terminals of neon lights 0 and 1 are connected to the t)and 1 terminals of the switch 251. In a like manner, lines 238, 244i,242 and 244 are respectively connected to terminal pairs 2 3, 4 5, 6 7and 8 9 of the switch 251.

Switches 250 and 251 have wiper Contact terminals 252 and 253 which arecoupled across a resistor 255 connected between the grid and cathode ofa thyratron control tube 257. The wiper contacts 252 and 253 of theswitches 250 and 251 are mounted on a common shaft and are similarlyoriented so that they contact corresponding stationary contacts at anygiven time. The common shaft of these switches is driven from a suitableratchet-motor 260 which has an energization circuit which is partlyunder the control of the thyratron tube 257. Connected to the plate ofthe thyratron tube 257 is a relay coil 262 which in turn is connected toa plate resistor 264 and a potentiometer resistor 265 joining the inputresistor 255. The cathode of the tube 257 is connected to the wiper ofthe potentiometer 265 for adjustment of the operating conditions of thethyratron.

A single phase rectifier circuit 267 is connected across rresistors 264and 265, the rectifier circuit including a filter capacitor 279, arectifier tube 281 and a power transformer 282. The primary of thetransformer 232 is connected between terminals M M to be referred tolater.

lt can be readily seen that a voltage will appear across the stationaryterminals of the switches 250; and 251 which have numbers correspondingto the energized neon light. Thus, when the wiper contacts 252 and 253contact the latter stationary terminals, gating thyratron 257 will tire.Y

The solenoid motor 260 includes a solenoid coil 286 which operates anarmature 23S acting as a ratchet pawl which imparts step-by-steprotation to a ratchet gear 290 which in turn-operates a set ofinterrupter contacts 292 in the energization circuit of theV solenoid286. This energization circuit may be traced from one of the terminalsof the solenoid coil 286 through line 294, normally-closed contacts262-1 of the relay 262 in the plate circuit of the thyratron tube 257,line 297, interrupter contacts 292, and a single phase rectifier circuit298 which provides direct current for operating the ratchet motor 260.The rectifier circuit 298 is fed by transformer 3%@ whose primarywinding is connected to the same terminals M M that feed theabove-mentioned power transformer 282V associated with the thyratrontube 257. The bottom terminal of the 'primary winding of the transformer300 is connectedvia a line 302 to a line 303 which leads to an A C.power line P3 (see FIG. 2a). Therupper terminal of the primary windingof transformer 300 eX- tends via aline 305 to normally-open contacts 307of a yrelay 309.V The contacts 307 connect with a line 311 which joinsthe normally-open contacts 22!) of secondary relay 22 (see FIG. 2a)which contacts, in turn, are connected to power line P4 associated withthe A.C. line P3. The ratchet motor 264il will thus be energized whenthe relay 309 controlling contacts 307 is energized.

Relayk 309 has an upper terminal connected via line 314i to. astationary contact 316 of a timer 313. The

, timer 318 serves the purpose of initiating the energization of theratchet motor 260 after agtime starting with the depression of thepriming switch by the disk lobe 26 which period of time is sufficient toenable the longest arc of the disk slots to pass by the light 'beams ofthe weight information of the article in question.

light sources lll and 28.r The counting circuits thus must have theirfull count before the readout circuit is allowed to operate. When vthisinitial time period has passed, a movable Contact 326* of the timermakes Contact with stationary contact 316 ythereof for at least asufficient period to enable the wiper arms 252 and 253 of the rotaryswitches 25@ and 251 to be moved by contacts (L9 by the ratchet motor2643. The timer 313 is energized by any suitable means, such as by arelay or solenoid 322 which is connected across lines 363 and 311. Sincethe line 3d extends through the normally-open contacts 22]) of thesecondary relay 22, the timer will not be set into operation untiltherelay 22 is energized.

When the ratchet motor 260 is set into operation, the wipers 252 and 253of the rotary switches 256 and 251 move over the stationary contactsthereof until the contacts are reached across which the associatedlighted neon light is connected. At that moment, the thyratron tube 257will lire thereby energizing the plate relay 262. .Energization of platerelay 262 will open the contacts 2621 'breaking the energization circuitof the solenoid 286 of the ratchet motor 264i to stop the operationthereof.

The shaft of the rotary switches 250' and 251 are geared or otherwiseconnected to the shaft of the printing wheel 231 so that the printingwheel is positioned to print the number corresponding to the contacts onwhich the rotary switch wipers have come to rest. Thus, when thethyratron 257 fires, the printing wheel is set to print the digitcorresponding to the digit of the lighted neon light of the associatedcounter unit. The printing operation may be obtained either by movingthe printing Wheel 231 against the surface to be printed upon or, thesurface to be printed upon may be moved against the printing wheel. InFlG. 2d, the latter situation is illustrated. To this end, a platen 323is provided upon which is carried the paper 325 to be printed upon. Astrip of paper may be utilized or the paper package of the articleitself may be carried by the platen 23. The associated printing wheelsassociated with .the various counter units are preferably mountedtogether in alignment. The platen 323 may be mounted for pivotalmovement about a pivot point 327, and the distal end of the platen 3,23may 'oe secured to an armature 328 of a solenoid 330. The

solenoid 330 is energized by a circuit including a series circuitarrangement of contacts 262-2, 262-3, etc., one for each printing wheel,these contacts being controlled by the relays in the plate circuits ofthe readout thyratron tubes like 257. When all the thyratrons have beenfired, indicating that all printing wheels have been adjusted to theirproper numbers, the solenoid 330 will be energized thereby moving theplaten 323 against the printing wheels.

When the article is removed from the scale platform 15, scale switch 16opens which de-energizes the secondary relay 22. Upon de-energization ofrelay 22, contacts 22h thereof open de-energizing and Vresetting thetimer 318. Relay contacts 22C also open which extinguish the gatingthyratron 34. Upon de-energization relay 22, its

Embodz'ment of FIGS. 3 Through 6 Refer now to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 3 through 6 wherein a modified price and weight marking system isillustrated. In accordance with this form of the invention, operationson a number of diiferent articles to be weighed and priced may becarried on simultaneously so that the time necessary for weighing andmarking each article is cut to a minimum. This form of the inventionseals or otherwise secures a label or price slip to a prewrapped packagewhich label contains price and WithY the modified system to bedescribed, while the label for one package is Vbeing applied thereto alabel for another package is being printed, and simultaneously thecounters are operating to obtain price and weight information for athird package then on the scale platform. Just preceding theabove-mentioned simultaneous operations, the third mentioned package wasplaced on the scale while `the rotary switches were being positioned inaccordance with the count in the counters for the second package. Thisoperation of the system requires interlocking between various sectionsof the system, and these will be described in connection with theschematic diagram of FIG. 5.

Referring rst, however, to FIG. 3 showing a platform and conveyor layoutfor use with the modified system just outlined. lt includes a belt orother suitable conveyor 41M which delivers the articles the to beweighed to a platform section Sil which is at the same elevation as theupper section of the conveyor belt 404. The articles 406 may comprise anouter thermoplastic wrapping where labels are to be heat sealed thereto.Also, in such case, the label may include a thermoplastic base upon theupper side of which a suitable layer of printing-ink-receiving materialis secured, such as paper.

When a packaged article is moved upon platform 40h by the conveyor belt,the friction between the article and the platform may be such that theconveyor belt is unable to push the article completely olf the belt,whereupon a line of articles remains stationary upon the conveyor beltas the belt scrapes by the bottoms of the articles, so that an articlewill not be moved upon the platform section 46S until the articlealready thereon is moved to the neXt station where the scale platform islocated. The level of the scale platform under normal load isapproximately the same as the level of the platform section 49E.

On the opposite side of the Scale platform from the one adjacent to theplatform section Lltlfl is another platform section 489 of a length toform two article stations. The platform section 489 is at the same levelas platform section 46S. A labeling device elle overlies the endrnostarticle station. The labeling device contains a roll of heat-scalablematerial from which Lthe label or price slip is to be formed. ltcontains the printing wheels 23l, and suitable means for severing andfeeding the roll at the proper time. When the operator raises thearticle which is beneath the labeling device and presses the top of thearticle against downwardly extending portions iid thereof, the end ofthe roll containing the weight and price information involved is severedfrom the roll and heat sealed or otherwise adhered to the top of thearticle in question.

At the end of the platform section b9 is an outfeeding conveyor belt 42dwhich is at the same level as the platform soV that the article justwrapped may be readily placed upon the conveyor and moved to a suitabledisposal location. After the article is placed upon the conveyor 42d,the operator grasps the article on the platform .section and with hisleft hand and the article on the scale platform with his right hand andmoves the latter article to the next article station while pushing thearticle ahead or' it with the back of the right hand beneath thelabeling device did. Simultaneously the left hand movesthe article it isholding upon the scale platform. At the same time, the conveyor @deimoves the article behind it onto the platrorm section edd. While thenewly positioned article on the scale platform l5 is being weighed bythe scale, the label for the article adjacent thereto is printed withthe weight and price information and the already printed label for thethird article is applied thereto. With this arrangement, one man canoperate the apparatus with a minimum of time between successiveapplications of labels to the packages.

Refer now to FIG. 5 which shows the control circuit for the embodimentof FlGS. 3 and 4. The operation of this circuit preferably includes thefollowing interlocked control of balancing, counting, readout, printing,labelapplying and strip feeding operations:

(a) The counting operation for a new article begins 14 after the scaleis balanced and the previous count has been readout to the print wheels;

(b) The readout of the count in the counters begins when the countershave been set and the print wheels have completed printing the price andweight information previously set in the counters;

(c) The printout of the data set in the print wheels on the label stripis not effected until the readout of the data in the counters and theprevious printout operation has been completed; and

(d) The severing `of a label from the label strip and the application ofthe same to the article to be marked begins after the data on thearticle previously weighed has been printed; a strip advancing operationfor feeding the next label into position to be applied to the nextarticle occurs upon return of lthe label severing and applying apparatusto their start positions.

The control circuit of PEG. 6 includes most of the cornponents describedin connection with the embodiment of FIGS. l through 2 and similarcomponents in these iigures have been similarly numbered. Thus, when anarticle to be weighed is placed upon the scale platform 15, the scaleswitch ld closes and the armature of the balancing switch i7 willoscillate to make contact with the stationary contacts on opposite sidesthereof to energize intermittently the relay l. The secondary relay 22has an energization circuit including priming switch 25, thenormally-closed contacts l-l of relay i8, normally-closed contacts ROE-lof a readout relay RGB and the scale switch lo. Accordingly, as soon asthe balancing switch reaches a steady state condition, relay l iscle-energized and its normally-closed contacts ELS-ll close to prepare:the seccondary relay for energize-.tion when the priming switch Z5 isclosed bythe lobe on the scanning disk 5. The secondary relay 22 thenseals-in through a holding circuit including holding contacts ZZ-l ofrelay 22 and normallyclosed contacts RCE-2 of relay ROE. When relay 22is energized, the gating thyratron Se becomes primed for operation uponclosing of contacts 22-2 in the plate circuit of the thyratron, as inthe emobdiment of FIGS. l and 2.

The contacts ROE-l and 2 in the energization circuit of relay 22 aremomentarily opened upon the energization of the readout relay ROE whichis energized upon the completion of the readout of information from thecounters. This enables the scanning and gating circuits to begin a newcycle of operation since it de-energizes secondary relay 22 which, inturn, extinguishes the thyratron 3d.

The Contact arrangement which enables the contacts ROE-J1 and 2 to bemomentarily opened upon energizetion of readout relay RSE is shown inFlG. 6 This contact arrangement includes a number of sets of contactssuch as RCE-l, one of the contacts of each set having an extension 34which is in the path of movement of a pivoted arm fri-36 operated by therelay ROl.A The arm e36 engages and passes by the extension i3-f:- toseparate momentarily the set of contacts involved when the arm .Sti isdrawn toward the core yof relay ROE. When the arm 1336 moves in theopposite direction it can be Seen that the set of contacts involvedremain closed since the force of the arm 436 is in a direction whichmaintains contact between the contacts involved.

From the description of the embodiment of FIGS. l and 2, it is apparentthat the counting circuits for weight and price information are frozenin their count positions occurring at the moment that the gatingthyratron 34 lires. The input to the counting circuit is then gateduntil the thyratron is extinguished upon the de-energization of thesecondary relay 22,.

When the gating thyratron fires, a relay 432 in the circuit thereofbecomes energized to close a set of contacts 3l-l thereof which areconnected in series with a readout control relay ROS. The contacts @S2-lare in series with normally-closed contacts POE-1 of a printout relationPOE which becomes energized upon completion of a printing operation.When the latter relay becomes energized, the contacts POE- momentarilyopen in the same manner as the contacts ROE-1 and 2 previouslydescribed. The relay ROS has a holding circuit including holdingcontacts ROS-1 and normally-closed contacts POE-2 of relay POE so thatthe relay ROS seals-in upon the firing of the gating thyratron 34. Itcan ibe seen that the relay ROS is de-energiz'ed upon completion of aprintout operation to reset the readout circuits controlled by the relayROS so that the new count in the counters can be readout to the printingapparatus.

The readout circuit is somewhat modiiied from that used with theembodiment of FIGS. l and 2 in that the readout thyratrons, such asthyratron 257, are each prepared for operation upon closure ofnormallyopen contacts ROS-1 of the Yreadout relay ROS, which contactsare connected between the output of the rectifier circuit 267 and theplate circuits of the readout thyratrons. No timers are needed in thiscircuit as were used in the embodiment of FIGS. l and 2. As in thelatter embodiment, the relays 262 in the plate circuits of the readoutthyratrons have contacts, such as 262-1, in the energization circuits ofassociated ratchet solenoid motor circuits as in FIGS. l and 2 whichadvance the wipers of the associated rotary switches and the associatedprint wheels. When the various readout thyratrons lire, the ratchetsolenoid motors ybecome de-energized to stop the print Wheels in theirpositions which will print out the digits of the count number in thevarious counters. Then, the secondary relay 22 becomes de-energized toreset the counting and gating circuits for a new cycle of operation uponmomentary opening of contacts ROE-1 and 2, aS above explained.

The label strip 325 upon which the price and weight information isprinted is located in the label-issuing device 416. The strip passesover a printing platen 323 (FIG. 5) mounted for movement toward and awayfrom the assembly of'printing wheels 231. The movement of th@ platen 323is controlled by printout relay POS which, when energized, elfects themovement of the platen 323" toward the print wheels 231 so that thestrip 325 is pressed against the print wheels. The energization circuitof relay POS includes normally-closed contacts POE-3 of relay POE andnormally-open contacts ROE-1 of the relay ROE. Thus, upon completion ofa readout operation, the energization of relay ROE will result in theclosure of contacts ROE-1 and the energization of relay POS. When theplaten moves into a printing position, a switch S-l is closed by theplaten 323 to effect the energization of the relay POE'whoseenergization circuit includes switch S-l. The relay POE seals-in througha holding circuit including normally-closed contacts ROS-2 and holdingcontacts POE-4 of the relay POE. As relay POE becomes -de-energized, itscontacts POE-1 and POE-2 momentarily open to de-energize the relay ROSto free the readout circuits for a new cycle of operation.

Energization of relay POE also (ic-energizes the relay POS upon openingof the contacts POE-3. lRelay POE remains energized until the readoutcircuit ROS becomes energized at the beginning of a new readoutoperation period. At that time, the printout relay POE becomesdefenergized upon momentary opening of the contacts ROS-2 in a mannersimilar to that explained in connection with the contacts ROEJ. Then,theV printout relay POS becomes prepared for operation upon closure ofthe contacts POE-3 when the readout operation is complete, signalled bythe energization of the relay ROE.

When the relay POE initially became energized, this prepared a relay HSfor energization upon closure of contacts POE-5 in series therewith. Thelatter contacts are also in series with a switch S-2 which is closedwhen the operator holds the article to be marked against the projections418 (FlG. 3) of the label-issuing device 416. Thus, upon completion of aprintout operation and the 16 placing of an article beneath thelabel-issuing device 416, relay HS becomes energized. Y RelayI-ISseals-in through a holding circuit'including holding contacts HSll ofthe relay HS and a normally-closed switch S-3. Energization of relay HSresults in the downward movement of a heat sealing and strip cuttingassembly including a heatedl piston member 450 and an attached knifeelement 452. The knife 452 severs a section from the end of the labelstrip 325 containing the price and weight information of the article atthe endmost station of the platform section 469 (FIG. 3). The piston 450presses the severed section of the label strip against the article tosecure the label thereto. The sealing operation could be effected bymeans of an adhesive layer on the label strip 325 which is renderedtacky by the heat of the piston 45o or else the body of the strip 325could be made of a thermoplastic material which is heat sealed upon asimilar thermoplastic covering for the article in question.

When the piston 450 reaches the lowermost point of its downward path oftravel where the severed label iS applied to the article in question, aprojection 453 extending from the piston 450 depresses an extension 454associated with the normally-closed switch S-3 to momentarily open thelatter to de-energize the relay HS. This results in the returning of theassembly of the piston 450 and knife 452 to its uppermost position. Bymeans of a suitable ratchet an-d gear mechanism 456, Vthe upwardmovement of the piston 45t) advances a ratchet wheel to effect theadvancement of the label strip 325 a given amount to bring the nextlpointed portion thereof beneath the piston 450 and knife 452.

The above embodiment of FIGS. 3 through 6 just described, enables anumber of operations to be performed simultaneously relating to threearticles which respectively rest upon the scale platform 15 and on thetwo article stations of the platform section 409 (FIG. 3). Thus,referring to the timing diagram of FIG. 4, when the light 21, whichlights up upon tiring of the gating thyratron 34, is lit, the operatoradvances the various articles one station position inthe manner aboveeX- plained (move A in IFIG. 3). During this time, the readout circuitis reading out the count to the print wheels on the price and Weight ofthe article just moved from platform 1S. As soon as move A is completed,the operator `brings the article beneath the label-issuing device 416against the projections 418. Upon completion of a printout operation forthe article just preceding the article in question, the label-issuingdevice then operates to apply Vthe severed label strip to the article.The operator can feel the moment the label is being applied by feelingthe Y slight downward pressure of the piston applying the label to thearticle so that he is aware of when the severing and sealing operationis complete.

As the last-mentioned readout operation continues, the new articleY islbeing balanced. As soon as the readout operation is complete, thegating thyratron is 'prepared for operation during the scanning intervalwhile, at the same time, the information set up in the print wheels isbeing printed upon thelabel strip. Upon completion of the printingthereof, the readout of the information in the counters can begin afterthe scanning operation is completed, that is when the gating thyratronis red. Then, when the scale light again lights indicating completion ofa scanning operation, the operator again advances the article onestation position. i

It should be understood that the label-issuing Vdevice 416 may 'bemodified so that it merely drops a label strip upon an unwrapped articleresting upon the endmost station of the platform section'409 instead ofVheat sealing or otherwise applying the same to the article wrapping. Insuch case, another operator may wrap a cellophane or other transparenttype of material about the article leaving the markings on the price andweight visible from the outside of the package. j

The various embodiments of Vthe present invention 17 above describedhave thu-s provided a means'for automatically printing weight and priceinformation of an article being weighed. Furher, by means ofinterlocking control circuit as shown in FIG. and the conveyor platformarrangement shown in FIG. 3 together with the label-applying device 416,there is provided means for the printing and applying of a price slip orlabel upon an article in a minimum amount of time using one or twooperators. Obviously, 4additional machinery could be added to substitutefor the yoperator or operators in question without departing from thespirit of the present invention. v

We claim as our invention:

l. Price computing and indicating means for use with weighing apparatushaving a movable weight-responsive means, said price computing andindicating means comprising: first means responsive to movement of saidweight-responsive means for providing respective groups of electricalsignals which represent the prices of articles having different pricesper pound for the weight corresponding to any one of a number ofpositions of said weight-responsive means, selector means for operating4s aid first means to provide .an electrical signal group correspondingto a selected price per pound, and digital indicating means responsiveto the selected signal group for providing a digital numericalindication of the price of the article being weighed.

2. Price ycomputing and .indicating means `for use with weighingapparatus having a movable weight-responsive means, said computing andindicating means comprising: first means responsive to 'movement of saidweight-responsive means for providing a pulse train for each of a numberof different positions of said weight-responsive means, the number ofpulses in each pulse train being a measure of the price of an articlehaving the weight indicated by the position of the weight-responsivemeans at a `given price per pound, pulse counting means for count- .ingthe pulses in the generated pulse train, and priceindicating meansresponsive to the count of said counting means for indicating the priceof the article being weighed.

3. Price computing .and indicating means for use with weighing apparatushaving a movable weight-responsive means, said computing 4and indicatingmeans comprising: first means responsive to movement of saidweight-responsive means for providing a number of pulse trains for eachof a number of different positions of said weightresponsive means, thenumber of pulses in each pulse train being a measure of the price of anarticle having the Weight indicated by the position of theweight-responsive means at a different given price per pound, selectormeans for operating said first means to provide the pulse traincorresponding to the selected price per pound, and pulse counting meansfor counting the pulses in the generated pulse train.

4. Price computing and indicating means Vfor use with weighing apparatushaving movable weight-responsive means, said price computing andindicating means comprising: iirst means for generating a number ofpulse trains having different respective pulse rates representingdifferent prices per pound, selector means for operating said firstmeans to produce any selected `one of said pulse trains, gating means towhich the selected pulse trains are fed, .and means `responsive to theposition of said weight-responsive means for` closing said Vgating meanswhen the number .of pulses in the selected pulse train which have passedthrough the gating means equals the price of the article being weighed'.A

, 5. Price computing Vand indicating means for use with weighingapparatus having a movable weight-responsive means, said price computingand indicating means comprising: first means for generating a pulsetrain having a number of pulses representing the price of the largestweightto be accommodated by the mach-ine at a given price perpound,vgating means to which the pulse train' is fed, means respon-siveto the position of said weightresponsive means for closing said gatingmeans when the number of pulses of the generated pulse train which havepassed through the gating means equals the price of the article beingweighed, and pulse counting means for counting the pulses in thegenerated pulse train.

` 6. Price-determining means for use with weighing apparatus havingmovable weight-responsive means comprising: pulse-generating 4meansincluding continuously rotating means for generating a pulse trainhaving a predetermined number of pulses for each revolution of saidrotating means, counting means for counting said pulses,

normally open gating means for controlling the numberl of said pulseswhich reach said counting means, cooperating first and second controlmeans mounted for movement along opposed, coaxial circular paths, saidrst control means being mounted for movement with said weight-responsivemeans and said second control means eing mounted -for continuousrotational movement with said rotating means, for any xed position ofsaid rst control means said second control means passing opposite saidrst vcontrol means at a point during the generation of a pulse train bysaid pulse-generating means where the number of pulses ygenerated in thetrain up to that time -is a measure of the price of the article weighedat a given price per pound, third control means for resetting saidcounting means and for preparing said 'gating means for a gate-closingoperation, a control circuit for said third control means includingpriming switch means which is operated when said rotating means reachesa point where .a new pulse-train generating cycle begins, said controlcircuit operating said third control means to eflectl said resetting andpreparing operations when said scale priming switch means is in saidoperated condition,

said gating means then being open to allow passage ofpulses to saidcounting means, and means responsive to the movement of said sec-ondcontrol means opposite said irst control means for closing said gatingmeans when; prepared for a closing operation by said third controlmeans.

7. Price computing and indicating apparatus for use with weighingapparatus having a movable weight-responsive means, said price computingand indicating apparatus comprising: pulse generating means having apulseproducing price track having pulse-producing points thereon spacedalong the length of the track, the number of pulse-producing points insaid track representing the price of an article having the maximumweight to be accommodated by the apparatus at a given price per pound,pulse-receiving means for receiving pulses one at a time from said pricetrack, means for moving one of said pulse generating means andpulse-receiving means relative to the other in a continuous path whereinsaid pulse-receiving means repeatedly traverses said track, pulsecounting means for counting the generated pulses, means for activatingsaid counting means to begin a new counting cycle when thepulse-receiving means is contiguous to the start of the track, firstcontrol means movable with said weight-responsive means and cooperatingsecond control means movable with the movable one of saidpulse-receiving means and generating means along a path extendingopposite the path of travel of said first control means, said first andsecond control means, when said pulse-receiving means is opposite thebeginning of said track, having relative spaced apart positionsproportional to the weight of the article being weighed, means forfreezing the count in said counting means when said t control membersare opposite one another.

of different pulse-producing tracks having pulse-producing pointsthereon spaced along the length of the tracks,

19 the number of pulse-producing points in corresponding segments ofsaid tracks being different and representing different prices per poundfor various articles to be weighed, pulse-receiving means for receivingpulses one at a time from said price tracks, selector means forselecting the trackV from which the pulses are to be obtained,

' means for continuously moving one of said pulse generating means andpulse-receiving means relative to the other in a continuous path whereinsaid pul-se-receiving means repeatedly traverse the selected track,pulse counting means for counting the generated pulses, means foractivating said counting Vmeans to begin a new counting cycle when Vthepulse-receiving means is contiguous to the start of the selected track,rst control means movable with said weight-responsive means andcooperating second control means movable withl the movable one of saidpulse-receiving means and, generating means along a path extendingopposite the path of travel of said rst control means, said first andsecond control means, when said pulse-receiving means is opposite thebeginning of said track, having relative spaced apart positionsproportional to the weight of the article being weighed, and means forfreezing the count in said counting means when said control members areopposite one another.

9. Apparatus for use with weighing apparatus having movableweight-responsive means, said apparatus comprising: pulse generatingmeans having a pulse-producing track falling along the arc of a circle,said pulse-producing track having pulse-producing points spacedtherealong Y comprising narrow transparent areas, means on one side ofsaid pulse-producin-g track for directing a narrow beam` of lightthrough one of the transparent areas of the track, pulse-receiving meanson the other side of the track comprising photosensitive meanspositioned to intercept the beam of light passing through the track,means for irnparting continuous rotational movement to one of saidpulse-receiving means and said track-bearing pulse-generating meansabout an axis of rotation coaxial of said track to provide a train ofpulses at the output of said pulse-receiving means for each revolutionof the rotating means, pulse counting means for counting the pulses rec.eived by said pulse-receiving means, means responsive to the angularposition of said rotating means for activating said counting means tobegin a new counting cycle when the pulse-receiving means is near thebeginning of said pulse-producing track, first control means movablewith said weight-responsive means and second control means movable withsaid rotating means, said rst and second control means, both movingalong a circular path which is coaxial and opposite the path of movementof said rotating means, said irst and second control means beingopposite one another when said pulse-receiving means is positionedat apoint along the pulse-producing track whichy is spaced from thebeginning of the track an amount proportional to the weight of theobject being measured, and means responsive to the coming together ofsaid lirst and second control means for holding the count in saidcounting means at that time.

` l; Apparatus for use with weighing apparatus having movableyweight-responsive means, said apparatus comprising: pulse generatingmeans having a pulse-producingtrack falling along the arc of a circle,said pulse-producing track having pulse-producing points spacedtherealong, pulse-receiving means, means for impartingcontinuous'rotational movement to one of said pulse-receiving means andsaid track-bearing pulse-generating means about an axis of rotationcoaxial of said track to provide a train of pulses at the output of saidpulse-receiving means for each revolution of the rotating means, pulsecounting means for counting the pulses received by said pulse-receivingmeans, means responsive to theangular able with saidweight-responsivemeans, second rotatably mounted control means movablewith said rotating means along a circular path which is coaxial andopposite the pathof movement of said lirst control means, said first andsecond control means being opposite one another when saidpulse-receiving means is positioned at a point along the pulse-producingtrack which is spaced from the beginning of the track an amountproportional to the weight of the object being measured, and meansresponsive to the coming together of said first andY second con,- trolmeans for holding the count in said counting means at that time.

ll. Apparatus for use with weighing apparatus having movableweight-responsive means, said apparatus comprising: pulse generatingmeans having a number of pulse-producing tracks falling along the arcsof coaxial circles, pulse-receiving means for selectively receivingpulses one at a time from any oney of said tracks, said pulse-producingtracks having pulse-producing points in said respective Ytracksrepresenting different respective prices per pound of the articles to heweighed, means for imparting continuous rotation to one of saidpulse-receiv-l ing means and said track-bearing pulse generating meansabout an axis of rotation coaxial of said concentrcally arrangedv tracksto provide a train of pulses at the output f of lsaid pulse-receivingmeans from the selected track position of said rotating means foractivating said count- Y ing means to begin a new counting cycle whenthe pulsereceiving means is near the beginning of said pulse-'profducingtrack, first rotatably mounted control means movfor each revolution ofthe rotating means, pulse counting means for counting the pulsesreceived by said pulse-ref ceiving means, means responsive to theangular position of said rotating means for activating said countingmeans to begin a new counting cycle when the pulse-receiving means isnear the beginning of theA selected pulse-producing track, rst rotatablymounted control meansmovable' with said weight-responsive means, secondrotatably mounted control means movable withv said rotating means alonga circular path which is coaxial and opposite the path of movement ofsaid rst control` means, said rst andA second control means beingopposite one another when said pulse-receiving means is positioned at apoint along the selected pulse-producing track which is spaced from thebeginning of the track an amount proportional to the weight of theobject being measured, and means responsive to the coming together ofsaid first and second control means for holding the count in saidcounting means at that time, the number of pulses inthe various tracksbeing such that the count in said counting means is the, price of thearticle being weighed at the selected price per pound when the first andsecond control means come together.

12. Price-determining means for use with weighing apparatus havingmovable weight-responsive means comprising: pulse-generating meansincluding continuously rotating means for generating a pulse trainhaving a predetermined number of pulses for each revolution of said.rotating means, counting means for counting said pulses, gating meansfor controlling the number of said pulses which reach said countingmeans, cooperating first and. second control means mounted for movementalong op4 posed, coaxial, circular paths, said rst control means beingmounted for movement with said weight-responsive means and said secondcontrol means being mounted for continuous rotational movement with saidrotating means, for any fixed position of said rst control means saidsecond control means passing opposite said first control means at apoint during the generation of a pulse train by said pulse-generatingmeans where the number of pulses generated in the train up to that timeis a measure of the price of the article weighed at a given price perpound, third control means for resetting said counting means to Ibegin anew counting cycle, a control circuit for said third control meansincluding priming switch meannsV which is operated when'said rotatingmeans reaches a point where a new pulse-train generating cycle begins,said control circuit operating said third control means to etfect; Saidresetting operation when said priming switch means is opeated, saidgating means then being open to allow passage of pulses to said countingmeans, and means responsive to the movement of said second control meansopposite said rst control means for closing said gating means. y

13. Price-determining means for use with weighing apparatus havingmovable weight-responsive means cornprising: pulse-generating meansincluding continuously rotating means for generating a pulse trainhaving a predetermined number of pulses for each revolution of saidrotating means, counting means for counting said pulses, gating meansfor controlling the number of said pulses which reach said countingmeans, cooperating first and second control means mounted for movementalong opposed, coaxial, circular paths, said irst control means beingmounted for movement with said weight-responsive means and said secondcontrol means being mounted for continuous rotational movement with saidrotating means, for any fixed position of said rst control means saidsecond control means passing opposite said rst control means at a pointduring the generation of a pulse train by said pulse-generating meansWhere the number of pulses generated in the train up to that time is ameasure of the price of the article weighed at a given price per pound,third control means for rendering said coating means effective to begina new count cycle, a control circuit for said third control meansincluding scale switch means which is operated when an article is beingweighed by said weighing apparatus, balance-responsive switch meanswhich is operated when said weight-responsive means reaches asteady-state condition and priming switch means which is operated whensaid rotating means reaches a point where a new pulse-train generatingcycle begins, said control circuit operating said third control means torender said counting means eifective to begin a new count cycle whensaid balance-responsive switch means, said scale and priming switchmeans are simultaneously in said operated conditions, said gating meansthen being open to allow passage of pulses to said counting means, andmeans responsive to the movement of said second control means oppositesaid rst control means for vclosing said gating means.

l4. Price-determining means for use with weighing apparatus havingmovable weight-responsive means comprising: pulse-generating meansincluding continuously rotating means for generating a pulse trainhaving a predetermined number of pulses for each revolution of saidrotating means, counting means for counting said pulses, gating meansfor controlling the number of said pulses which reach said countingmeans, cooperating rst and second control means mounted for movementalong opposed, coaxial, circular paths, said rst control means beingmounted for movement with said weight-responsive means and said secondcontrol means being mounted for continuous rotational movement with saidrotating means, for any fixed position of said first control means, saidsecond control means passing opposite said first control means at apoint during the generation of a pulse train by said pulse-generatingmeans where the number of pulses generated in the train up to that timeis a measure of the price of the article weighed at a given price perpound, third control means for rendering said counting means effectiveto begin a new count cycle, a control circuit for said third controlmeans including scale switch means which is operated when an article isbeing weighed by said weighing apparatus, balance-responsive switchmeans which is operated when an article is being weighed by saidweighing apparatus, balance-responsive switch means which is operatedwhen said weight-responsive means reaches a steady-state condition andpriming switch means which is operated when Said rotating means reachesa point where a new pulse-train generating cycle begins, said controlcircuit operating said third control means to render said counting meanseffective to begin a new count cycle when said balance-responsive switch22 means and priming switch means are simultaneously in said operatedconditions, said gating means then being open to allow passage of pulsesto said counting means, and means responsive to the movement of saidsecond control means opposite said first control means for closing saidgating means.

l5. Price marking apparatus comprising: a vertically movable scaleplatform on which an article to be weighed is to be placed, a price-slipissuing device, printing means for printing price information on theprice slip, pricedetermining means, readout means for reading out theprice from said price-determining means, said price-determining meansbeing responsive to the degree of movement of said scale platform forproviding a digital measurement of the price of the article, and saidreadout means being responsive to said price-determining means forpositioning said printing means to print digital price information afterthe price on the previously weighed article has been printed, saidprice-determining means thus being operative to determine the price ofthe article then on the scale platform while the price of the articlejust previously weighed is being printed on said slip, and meanscontrolling said price-slip issuing device for issuing acompleted priceslip on the article weighed previous to said last-mentioned article.

16. Price marking apparatus comprising: a vertically movable scaleplatform on which an article to be weighed is to be placed, stationaryplatform sections on opposite sides of said scale platform which are atapproximately the same elevation as the scale platform, the platformsection on one side of said platform having two article support stationsand the platform section on the other side of the scale platform havingone article support station, an in-feeding conveyor arranged to feedarticles one at a time to said one article support station, anoutfeeding conveyor extending from the endmost of said other articlestations, a price-slip issuing device at said endmost article station,printing means for printing price information on the price slip,price-determining means responsive to the degree of movement of saidscale platform for providing a digital measurement of the price of thearticle, readout means responsive to said price-determining means forpositioning said printing means to print digital price information,means for preventing operation of said readout means until saidprice-determining means has completed its operation and said printingmeans has printed the digital information previously read thereinto onsaid strip, and means for preventing operation of said pricedeterminingmeans until said readout means has transferred the informationpreviously provided by said pricedetermining means to said printingmeans and until said scale platform reaches a steady state, saidprice-determining means being operative to determine the price of thearticle then on the scale platform while the price of the article justpreviously weighed and resting at the article station behind saidendmost station is being printed on said slip, and said price-slipissuing device issuing the completed price slip of the article weighedprevious to said last-mentioned article and then located at said endmostarticle station.

17. Price marking apparatus comprising: a vertically movable scaleplatform on which an article to be weighed is to be placed, stationaryplatform sections on opposite sides of said scale platform, the platformsection on one side of said platform having two article support stationsand the platform section on the other side of the scale platform havingone article support station, an in-feeding conveyor arranged to feedarticles one at a time to said one article support station, anout-feeding conveyor extending from the endmost of said other articlestation, printing means for printing price information on the priceslip, price-determining means responsive to the degree of movement ofsaid scale platform for providing a digital measurement of the price ofthe article, readout means responsive to said price-determining meansfor positioning s aid printing means to print` digital priceinforrnatiornk said pricedetermining means being operative to determinethe price of the article then on the scale platform while the price ofthe articleI just previously weighed and resting at the article stationbehind said endmost station is being printed on said slip, and saidprice-slip issuing device issuing ,the completed price slip of thearticle weighed previous to, said last-mentioned article and thenlocated at said endmost article station. t

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS HadleyApr. 7, 19,42` Swett V Oct. 2,7, 1,953v Beaumont u- May 29, 1956 BiebelAug. 20, 1957 Charbonnier et al Nov. 5 19.57 Allen etal. Nov.V 18, 1958`Allen v Aug. 9, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS,

Great Britain Mar. 9, 1955 The Hobartizer, July-August 1956, publishedby Hobart Mfg. C0., Troy, Ohio, 8 pp. (pp. 1-3 relied on).

